Yesterday Forward opened the first physical location in the center of San Francisco. Forward identifies itself as the doctor’s office of the future. Melting together artificial intelligence(AI), high-tech med solutions and doctors, this start-up aims to reduce the burdens experienced by patients in healthcare.

The big difference between your average hospital or GP practice and Forward is the way technology is put to work. The founders of Forward let sensors and AI do the analysis and collection of samples. Then the Patient receives the test results on its app and in the examination room the doctor and patient can discuss the results and possible health complaints. Innovating is the fact the doctor doesn’t take notes. An AI-tool extracts important information from the talk. This saves time and allows the physician to pay full attention to the patient. Moreover both patient and doctor can review the notes being taken on a big touch screen in the examination room. Talking about patient empowerment!

As with all new things in healthcare a careful analysis is necessary, underneath a personal analysis of Forward’s service:

• Combo artificial intelligence and healthcare professional

Both have pitfalls and both can deliver things which the other can’t. Exclusivity. AI is mathematically correct and consistent. Healthcare professionals can provide humanity and emotions. Something which can’t be delivered by AI. The combo of humanity and mathematically  consistent care sounds good to me! Moreover I believe it will make healthcare more efficient and thus reduce costs without reducing the value for the consumer.

• 24/7 booking on the Forward app

My biggest struggle in diabetes care is the fact that all communication with the hospital has to be done between 8.30 AM and 5 PM. From somebody with a crazy schedule this is sometimes expecting the impossible. I do want to thrive with my diabetes so when I must change my schedule for my care I go a little insane. This also thanks to my perfectionism. Forward allows patients to schedule and contact their health facility by app 24/7. I love the idea!

• All test results on app

The fact that all test results(blood, urine, saturation,…) are delivered to the patient’s phone empowers the patient. The patient can this way track and improve health by following up on the health data. As it is standardised sent to the patient, the responsibility for the patient grows too. This enables empowered patients to grow in their disease management.  Of course safety of the app should be assured.

• One big touch screen in the examination room

This again allows patient engagement and empowerment. In current healthcare setting in most cases patients can’t follow the notes being taken and test results. By having a big screen in front of both patient and doctor shared decision-making is stimulated. Everybody knows everything. Without demanding extra time for communication.

• AI-tool takes notes instead of doctor

When patient and doctor discuss the treatment and possible complaints an AI extracts important information. This information is then noted in patient file. This allows direct conversations with focus on the talk. No more foes on the note taking AND talk.

For me personally this new concept of healthcare allows patient- and provider-centered care. Providers have more time to focus on their core responsibility and have less administration as the AI takes notes. Patients experience a care which suits their needs too. Moreover the chance for communicative issues might reduce as patient and doctor have the same info available. Apart from medical training of course.

I’m awaiting an invitation and the very first results from patients impatiently!